The LASIK route to better vision: Is it for you?
LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, has radically changed circumstances for eye patients by granting them clear vision and better freedom from the use of glasses. Dr Sneha Shah, ophthalmologist and aesthetic surgeon, offers a safety advisory to make the most out of this surgery.Let a doctor decide: LASIK is one of the best-known and commonest refractive surgeries designed to correct vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. It is one of the many refractive procedures available for correcting refractive error and reducing or eliminating dependency on glasses. So, the best procedure for you can only be decided by an eye surgeon after a complete check-up. LASIK surgery is highly effective, with over 95 per cent of patients achieving 20/40 vision and sometimes even better. The results are long-lasting even though natural ageing processes, such as presbyopia, could still mean reading glasses later on in life.advertisementCritical precautions: Prior to surgery, it is important to follow the doctor's guidance for a smooth procedure. One of the precautions is to discontinue use of contact lenses for 1-2 weeks as it allows the corneas to return to their original shape. Also, share your complete medical and eye history with the doctor, including medications or conditions that could impact the healing process. Do not wear make-up on the day of surgery to reduce the risk of infection. No fragrant products, such as shampoos and creams, are to be used on the day of surgery.A straightforward procedure: LASIK surgery involves preparation with eye-numbing drops. The doctor deploys an instrument to keep the eyelids open. Then a corneal flap is created. It is a thin flap created in the cornea using a microkeratome or femtosecond laser. This flap is carefully folded back to reveal the underlying corneal tissue. This is followed by corneal remodelling, in which a calculated amount of corneal tissue is taken out with a precision laser. Lastly, there is flap positioning—the corneal flap being positioned back to its original position.advertisement
Post-surgery care: Rest your eyes and avoid participating in strenuous activities. Use the prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops and avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent displacing the corneal flap. Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect the eyes and avoid swimming or hot tubs for at least two weeks. Attend all follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process and address any concerns.Subscribe to India Today Magazine
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
5 essential health checkups every Indian mom needs
Indian women face several health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and the possibility of developing cancer. A study by the McKinsey Health Institute and the World Economic Forum found that over 25% of women's lives were spent in poor health. Consequently, it is imperative to prioritise women's physical and emotional health. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Jay Goyal, Eye Surgeon, LASIK Specialist, Retina Specialist and Director at Surya Eye Hospital in Mumbai, suggested that everyone should gift their moms these five critical health checkups. Every woman over 40 should have a physical every year. Your mother's complete medical examination must include tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid profile, haemoglobin, body mass index (BMI), and all other fundamental essentials. Additionally, it is crucial to assess her thyroid profile. Diabetes, heart disease, high or low blood pressure, and obesity are among the health conditions that can be helped and detected by all of these tests. For women without risk factors, cholesterol screening should start at age 45; for those with risk factors, it should start at age 20. Timely action, which is essential for preserving health, is made possible by early identification. Everyone, including mothers, should have a comprehensive eye exam every six months. Women frequently prioritize their children over their own health. Additionally, they frequently overlook early indicators of eye conditions such as gluocoma and cataracts. It is, therefore important that you develop the habit of getting your mother's eyes checked every six months as she ages. Highlighting the importance ofeyes, DrJay Goyal said, 'It is recommended that all women undergo routine eye exams. Mothers are the glue that holds the whole family together. Thus, protecting their vision is crucial. The family has a responsibility to ensure that the women in their homes receive routine eye exams. This is the only method to stop eye disorders from getting worse. After all, a healthier country depends on fostering a culture that promotes women's health via education, preventive and easily available medical treatment.' Women over 40 should get a yearly breast cancer mammography and speak with a gynaecologist. Many lives can be saved by early identification of breast cancer. Regretfully, according to a survey, only one out of every four women over 45 get a mammogram. This indicates that Indian women have a very low chance of developing breast cancer. This also applies to cervical cancer. As early as age 21, this cancer can be screened for. Every three years, women should have a Pap test. Following therapy for precancer (cervical dysplasia), women should receive Pap tests for 20 years or until they turn 65, whichever comes first. A bone density test is a health screening test that is an excellent preventive measure against conditions like osteoporosis. This condition is characterised by bones becoming brittle and weak, allowing them to crack or break under mild pressure. Mothers should take a bone density test to identify and treat any early symptoms of osteoporosis in a timely manner. Mothers should also go for periodic dental exams. They should examine their teeth to identify early signs of rotting or smelly teeth. Regular dental checkups can help detect cavities, gum infections, and plaque buildup before they worsen. Maintaining oral hygiene is essential not just for a confident smile, but also to prevent infections that may affect overall health — especially during and after pregnancy. Dr Jay Goyal asserted, 'Health encompasses mental, emotional and physical well-being. We must talk about health in its broadest sense. Therefore, it is crucial that children look after their mothers' mental and physical well-being. Many women endure an invisible emotional burden. Although the strain of providing care, the burden of expectations and the need to endure in silence are frequently disregarded or internalised, the body actually keeps track of them. Promoting access to mental health treatments, lowering stigma and fostering a healthy atmosphere are all part of investing in well-being.' Schedule your mother's checkups now to ensure she leads a long and healthy life. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Mint
23-05-2025
- Mint
Future Generali unveils ‘Health Unlimited' with lifetime unlimited coverage. Details here
With health inflation continuing to rise, insurers are regularly coming up with new plans that offer some succour for customers. Future Generali India has launched 'Health Unlimited', which offers the customer a once in a lifetime benefit of unlimited coverage that will pay for the full cost of any one claim, irrespective of the sum insured, among other benefits. The plan also offers 'Unlimited Restoration of the Sum Insured' starting from the second claim. 'Health Unlimited' comes with an inflation guard that provides annual enhancement of the sum insured to cover rising medical expenses, a premium payback wherein a discount in renewal premium that is equivalent to the first-year base premium is provided in the fifth year if there is no claim in the preceding four years and unlimited refills through which the base sum insured gets refilled unlimited times from the second claim. 'Rising cost of medical treatment is a cause of concern for a vast majority of people in India, despite having a health cover. Our comprehensive health insurance offering, 'Health Unlimited', will ensure that our customers do not run out of cover even during the times of higher bills, irrespective of their sum insured getting exhausted,' said Anup Rau, Managing Director and CEO, Future Generali India Insurance Company. More than eight out of every ten insured feel unsure about the efficacy of their health cover amid soaring medical costs, according to a survey by Future Generali India Insurance. This survey, which was recently conducted on 800 insured individuals who are more than 25 years old, revealed rising concerns about the adequacy of current health insurance coverage. Three out of four insured individuals in India worry about the sufficiency of their health insurance, the survey found. When faced with a claim, two out of every three individuals feel insecure and inadequately covered as they encounter unexpected bills, it revealed. 'Nine out of ten health insurance policyholders feel that recharge of sum insured is a key benefit,' the survey said. India had one of the highest medical inflation rates among Asian countries in 2021. India's medical inflation was around 14% surpassing China (12%), Indonesia (10%), Vietnam (10%) and Philippines (9%), Future Generali said. Future Generali's new plan also offers other benefits like wellness discounts, cumulative bonus for every claim free year, additional sum insured for accidental hospitalisation, no sub-limits for services like cataract surgery and LASIK procedure, road ambulance and complementary health check-ups. 'Health Unlimited' covers in-patient hospitalisation, day-care treatments, AYUSH treatments, referring to the coverage for traditional Indian systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, organ donor costs, and modern treatment methods. Allirajan M is a journalist with over two decades of experience. He has worked with several leading media organisations in the country and has been writing on mutual funds for nearly 16 years.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Time of India
'Legally blind' after LASIK: Viral post reignites debate over surgery risks
A recent viral post on X (formerly Twitter) has sparked fresh scrutiny over the safety and transparency of LASIK surgery, after one user claimed he was left 'legally blind' following the procedure—and was told by his surgeon to 'learn to live with it. ' The post originated from the X account @birdpathy, who recounted a troubling conversation with a LASIK surgeon when he simply asked for statistics. 'Just asked a LASIK surgeon if he had any statistics about rates of complications at his clinic, or rates of patients reporting dry eyes 6 months out,' the post began. — birdpathy (@birdpathy) But instead of answers, he says he got deflection. 'He asked if I was a reporter (in a thick New York accent) and said no patient had ever asked for that before in 20 years.' The thread continued in the comment section, where @birdpathy added: 'He did not have the statistics - he couldn't even say how many times he's performed different procedures. I said 'I know everyone collects different stats' to give him an out. He said actually he 'knows every surgeon in NYC' and none of them would know these numbers.' Shortly after, another X user, Chris Alvino, shared the post—along with his own devastating story. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo 'I became legally blind after my LASIK surgery. And when my surgeon found out, he literally stopped talking to me during my appointment. He told me there was nothing we could do and I'd just have to learn to live with it. And offered zero follow up. Dude treated me like a pariah.' In the comments, Alvino didn't hold back. 'So yeah, I'm not surprised these doctors and surgeons don't keep track of their complication rates. They're probably a shame on their massive ego, or maybe it's too much cognitive dissonance, knowing they are actively harming so many people.' He closed with a pointed message: 'But yeah, does THIS doctor's responses sound like something you'd hear from an ethical industry? Why are surgeons so scared to discuss complication rates for LASIK? Ask yourself this question next time you're considering the surgery.' What is LASIK? LASIK surgery, short for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis , is a laser eye surgery that reshapes the cornea to correct vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It aims to improve vision by ensuring light focuses correctly on the retina. This procedure is a popular outpatient option, often done under topical anesthesia, and can treat both eyes in a single session. Who should avoid LASIK? As per the US Food and Drug Administration, LASIK may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with the following conditions should avoid or carefully reconsider the procedure: Refractive instability: If your glasses or contact lens prescription has changed in the past year, common in those under 20, pregnant or breastfeeding, diabetic, or on medications that affect vision. Poor healing conditions: Autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, immunodeficiencies like HIV, diabetes, or medications such as steroids and retinoic acid can impair proper healing. Contact sports: Those involved in sports like boxing, wrestling, or martial arts, where facial impact is common, may face added risks. What are the statistics? LASIK risks have been thoroughly studied since the FDA approved the procedure. According to the 2016 Modern LASIK Outcomes study, 99.5% of eyes achieved 20/40 vision or better after surgery. However, a small percentage of patients do experience real and lasting side effects. These might include vision loss that cannot be corrected with glasses or contacts, persistent dry eye syndrome, and night vision issues such as glare, halos, or double vision—especially in low-light conditions.
